1998 Toyota MR2 GT T-Bar review from UK and Ireland

The car has been fundamentally reliable apart from two things which have never been successfully cured by Toyota mechanics (I have put the car in to two registered dealers five times). Have to say that the quality and customer focus of the Toyota sales team is impressive. The quality and customer focus of the servicing staff I found to be abysmal and verging on comical.

Firstly a very loud squealing noise from the wheels on first setting out on a journey which disappears after about half a mile and secondly the noisiest, squeakiest brakes I have ever had to endure. This was a problem on the previous MR2 I owned too.

The MR2 T-bar (before it was replaced by the doomed roadster) is a beautiful and sexy car. The technical backing given by Toyota would put me off another buy even though the sales teams were always very professional and helpful.

The performance is very disappointing in low revs and does not match the performance of the original MR2. Out of interest, I test drove the roadster which had all the unique selling points of the MR2 taken out! Expect a redesign with boot space and more luxurious interior to emerge soon!